Fall 2025 - IS 300 D100
Research Methods in International Studies (4)
Class Number: 6646
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Fri, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Vancouver -
Exam Times + Location:
Dec 8, 2025
Mon, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
Vancouver
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Instructor:
Oi Ying Irene Pang
oypang@sfu.ca
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Prerequisites:
IS 101 and 45 units.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Introduces the research enterprise in International Studies.
COURSE DETAILS:
This course adopts a critical approach to examining the processes and methods of global knowledge production, with the objective of preparing students to become discerning consumers of knowledge. The course begins with an overview of the debates surrounding the question: What is knowledge? The rest of the class will be structured around the question: Who gets to produce what kinds of knowledge, for whom, and how? This will be broken down into three different components:
- The ethics and politics of knowledge production;
- Logics of research;
- Methods of data collection and analysis.
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
- Develop greater understanding of competing social scientific approaches to knowledge.
- Distinguish between different approaches to knowledge in the social sciences, and critically evaluate the assumptions and arguments on which these approaches are based.
- Gain familiarity with a range of quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection commonly used in the social sciences.
- Critically assess the strengths and limitations of different methods in relation to addressing specific research agendas.
- Develop skills in critically evaluating research findings and claims.
- Identify methods used to produce information presented in academic and non-academic outlets, such as academic writing, policy papers, news reports, commentaries, social media posts, etc.
- Evaluate the evidentiary strength of claims or statements of fact.
- Develop the ability to communicate ideas about global problems clearly and effectively to diverse audiences.
- Gain experience in report writing.
- Practice making clear and concise oral presentations of an argument.
Grading
- Attendance and Weekly Quiz 25%
- Reverse Engineering Exercise (involves some group work) 25%
- Midterm Exam 25%
- Final Assignment 25%
Materials
MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:
Students are not required to buy any textbooks for this course. Assigned readings (book chapters and academic articles) will be made available on Canvas or can be accessed digitally through the SFU library.
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.
To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit:
- SFU’s Academic Integrity Policy: S10-01 Policy
- SFU’s Academic Integrity website, which includes helpful videos and tips in plain language: Academic Integrity at SFU
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.